Game Sevens Times Three Finish Round 1

((HT: NHL/NBCSN/CNBC))

It's what this time of year is all about... other than the tanning and vacations...

Game Sevens make late night viewing all good...

And the NHL last night had three Game Sevens to close out the first round...

First stop was New York City for the Rangers and Flyers...
And when the fourth line is contributing (see: Dan Carcillo), it's going to be a good night for you. But, these days, Carcillo is in Ranger Blue and not Flyers orange...


Game Two went for a while...

Because there's only one thing better than a Game Seven...
It's a Game Seven that goes to overtime. Minnesota escapes the first round since 2000 with an overtime win at Colorado. Avs head coach Patrick Roy was pleased with his team's efforts this season. But he was obviously, disappointed with the premature finish of the season...


The larger question for Minnesota in Round Two is the status of Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper- who had to leave the game in the third period, yielding to Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryz made one save for the rest of the game, but that's all that needed to be made as the Wild take on Chicago...

The late game, probably, is the end of the lifespan of Todd McLellan in San Jose. The Sharks had a 3-0 lead in the series against Los Angeles. But the Kings rediscovered their defense in and around goalie Jonathan Quick and became the fourth team in the history if the NHL playoffs to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win a series, 5-1 in Game 7...


That sets up Chicago and Minnesota and the Freezeway Series between LA and Anaheim...

ICYMI: On-Ice Reporter Takes Puck to the Schnozz

((ht: nhl.com))

There is a reason that most places surrounding a hockey rink have protective glass around them. Mostly for fan protection.

And if you've ever been to a hockey game in person, one of the more prominent signs you'll see is the one proclaming "Please pay attention while the puck is in play".

That being said, check out this video from last nights NY Rangers/NY Islanders game at Madison Square Garden.

You'll see, albeit from a distance, MSG Network on-ice reporter John Giannone "Take one for the team". He is the recipient of Marc Staal's flip towards the wall, which was the only protection Giannone had.

A little blood, but otherwise no serious injury was had.

Thanks NHL.com for the video: